Jeffrey E. Schmidt

Jeffrey Schmidt recently retired from Defense Acquisition University after 10 years of teaching and consulting. He served as the Director, Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAP) for DAU West Region from 2015-2022. He provided outreach and liaison with Program Executive Officers and MDAP Program Managers with the goal of assisting them with improved acquisition outcomes. Jeff is a recognized subject matter expert across a multi-functional spectrum to include Contracting, Acquisitions and Program Management. He is also a certified Executive Coach with expertise in leadership development and critical thinking. Jeff was an embed with the Defense Health Agency Component Acquisition Executive from 2020-2022. He assisted in strategic initiatives and program execution to improve Acquisitions across the agency.

Jeff is a retired Air Force Colonel with over 30 years of successful leadership in DoD and private industry in implementation of strategic planning, supply chain, program management, policy formulation, and workforce development for acquisition organizations. He has acquisition policy and program execution expertise at Major Command, Air Force, Joint, and Office of Secretary of Defense levels. He was Director of Contracting at Headquarters level (Air Force Research Laboratory) and the largest Air Force Acquisition Center (Aeronautical Systems Center). He was also deployed as the Principal Assistant Responsible for Contracting - Afghanistan. Jeff ran his own consulting firm for several years.

Jeff has directed all aspects of acquisition strategy development and execution responsibilities at every level of Air Force and Joint operational activity to include base level, sustainment, weapon systems development and production. Expertise in acquisition strategy development, performance-based approaches, competitive strategies, source selection procedures and contract management methods.

He was also selected for numerous high-profile Program Management positions to include, Director of B-1 Bomber Program and Senior Programs Analyst working for SECDEF. In this position he was responsible for acquisition oversight of intelligence agencies and reported directly to USD(I) and USD/AT&L. Jeff also led several cross-functional organizations in the management of weapon systems and sub-systems acquisitions. He has commanded both an operational contracting squadron and a Joint Command unit.

Professional recognition includes Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Outstanding Contracting Officer; Air Force (1997), Air Combat Command (1997), United States Air Forces Europe (1987) and Outstanding Contracting Unit; Air Combat Command (1999), United States Air Forces Europe (1987,1988)

Jeff holds a BA in Political Science from California Polytechnic State University, an MS in International Relations, Troy State University, and completed/taught the Program Manager and Executive Program Manger’s Course, Defense Systems Management College.